Hip pain

Definition

Hip pain involves any pain in or around the hip joint. You may not feel pain from your hip directly over the hip area. You may feel it in your groin or pain in your thigh or knee.

Alternative Names

Pain - hip

Considerations

Causes

Hip pain may be caused by problems in the bones or cartilage of your hip

Hip fractures can cause of sudden hip pain. These injuries can be a serious and lead to major problems. Hip fractures are more common as people get older because falls are more likely and your bones become weaker.

Infection in the bones or joints (links to osteomyelitis and septic arthritis)

Osteonecrosis of the hip

Arthritis -- often felt in the front part of your thigh or in your groin

Labral tear of the hip

Pain in or around the hip may also be caused by problems:

Bursitis -- it hurts when you get up from a chair, walk, climb stairs, and drive

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam with careful attention to your hips, thighs, back, and the way you walk. To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your health care provider will ask questions about:

Where you feel the pain

When and how the pain started

Things that make the pain worse

What you have done to relieve the pain

Your ability to you walk and support weight

Other medical problems you have

Medicines you take

You may need x-rays of your hip or an MRI scan.

Your health care provider may tell you to take a higher dose of over-the-counter medication. You may also need a prescription anti-inflammatory medication.

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